As someone who lived in Chicago, I fully suport  this but wanted to gauge others to see if they prefer INdy or Chicago for Big Ten title games...

God no. Indy is a far better venue.

Nothing against Indy, but the two cities are not remotely comparable in what they offer an out-of-town visitor.

everything is downtown indy,dont have to drive,bars,shopping etc.United center isn't even downtown,terrible setup. I quit going when it's in chicago.

This post was edited on 3/13 12:19 PM by U-MFAN4EVER

Almost everybody I've talked to loved Indy, and not because Indy is a better city than Chicago, but because of the proximity of everything (arena, hotels, restaurants bars) in Indy - United Center is not a good venue, and a lot of Chicagoans have even said they like Indy for the BTT.  Football championship game at Soldier Field would be awesome, though.

Agree w Califupchuk, football ccg in Soldiers Field.

nm

I live in the Northeast, but I have always loved Chicago when I've visited.  However, Chicago, like NY or LA, is a little spread out if your visit is predicated on a weekend devoted to an event such as the BTT.  Hitting all the hot-spots in a city like Boston, SanFran or Indy is a walking situation, where nights out in Chicago are dependent on cab rides.

Conversely, this is where we're at with conference expansion so I wouldn't plan on Indy as a permanent/regular/frequent venue.  I would very much expect to see NYC/Philly/DC BTT's in the future.

I haven't heard many prefer chicago to Indy for the BTT

and agree 100% - Indy blows.

and more spread out than Indy (nobody would argue that) somehow means the United Center isn't downtown.  Okay.

I look at it this way, yes, you are there for basketball and Indy has a very nice set up for that.  You are also there for a long weekend on the town.  Indy and Chicago are not remotely comparable in that sense.

Whatever drawback there is in comparing the United Center as a spectator is completely unbalanced from the restaurants and other attractions Chicago offers as a tourist.

*

that anybody would want to do in Chicago.

*

*

It's been my home away from home of late. Certainly hope I spend as much time there when it warms up as has been the case this winter. I'll be spending most of the first two weeks of April at the Palmer House.

The low ceilings and funky carpet and lighting in the hallways of the guest floors freak me out, though.

Um, Kentucky is not a B1G state.

Posted from Rivals Mobile

.

not downtown is completely wrong.  I agree that you're not going to catch a B1G game and then walk to a great restaurant from the United Center.

*

it would spread the wealth and the buzz. Ford Field would be a decent venue to be put in the rotation.

*